Method of and apparatus for material moving



June 27, 1933 R. FERWERDA El" AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MATERIALMOVING Filed March 23, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l .drrae/vars June 27, 1933.R7 FERWERDA ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MATERIAL MOVING FiledMarch 25', 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jame 27 1933. R. FERWERDA El AL1,916,103

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MATERIAL MOVING Filed March 23, 1933' 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Arroe/vsrs Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MATERIAL MOVING Application filedlarch 28, 1833. Serial Io. 882,292.

This invention, as indicated, relates to a method of and apparatus formaterial moving. More particularly, it comprises an apparatusparticularly adapted for the handling of freshly excavated earth androck and transporting the same either over a single unit of suchapparatus, or successively over a series of such units to a suitablepoint of discharge. It also includes the method of excavating elevatedsections of earth in case of road building and moving the same toportions of the right of way below grade as a substantially continuousoperation, with substantially uniform length of travel for the materialand a minimum of replacement of the equipment as the work progresses.

It has been the practice in excavating, more particularly in connectionwith the building of highways, to use a steam shovel and a series oftrucks as the means of transporting the earth above grade to a pointalong the right of way where a fill was required. One or more of suchshovels and their associated trucks were employed, and it was necessaryto make the fill satisfactory for truck travel in order that thedischarge of the excavated material could be kept up continuously.Ordinarily, such excavations were commenced at the nearest point to thesection below grade and a small number of trucks were employed for theshort haul, and as the work progressed, the number of trucks was increased and the haul became longer. In many instances, in work of thischaracter, the r shovel must make a complete or half circle swing todeposit its load into the trucks, and

greater time is involved when such conditions arise than when the shovelcan make a shorter swing not exceeding a quarter swing. Unless thenumber of trucks is kept up to the capacity of the shovel, the effectiveoutput of the shovel is greatly reduced, and the cost increases as thedistance from the out increases. In addition to this, there are notinfrequently difiiculties with the trucks becoming mired in the softfill, particularly during rainy weather, and requiring a lot of wastelabor and eifort putting the transportation line in satisfactory shapeto handle the so material excavated. The life of trucks under suchconditions is frequently limited to two years, and this adds eatly tothe cost of such work. Heretofore it has been pro osed to substitute fortrucks an endless rub r com position belt supported on rollers adaptedto receive the material excavated, but such equipment involves vercareful installation, and while satisfactory in coal mines and the like,wherein the load is fairly evenly distributed and of uniform character,such apparatus is very unsatisfactory for miscellaneous excavating worksuch as is encountered in road building. The cost of this belting isvery expensive and in heavy rock excavating this method is quiteunsuitable, due to want of uniformity in size of rock and the tearing ofthe belt with shar edges. Heretofore it has also been propose tosubstitute for trucks caterpillar tractors and wagons, but the initialcost of this equipment coupled with the heavy cost of operation andrepairs and the necessary space required for turning, makes their useimpractical in most instances.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmethod and apparatus for handling material, wherein the cost may bereduced and the work carried on with a minimum of delay.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified form ofapparatus adapted to be used singly or in conjunction with companionunits of apparatus operated individually or in pairs or series as may befound most advantageous for the particular work in hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of handlingmaterial, particularly in the course of constructing a roadway at apredetermined grade requiring alternate cuts and fills, whereby theamount of equipment necessary for the work ma be kept at a minimum andthe speed with w 'ch the work is carried on may be increased over thatheretofore possible with other types of equipment.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an apparatus which may bereadily installed at points where material is to be moved, such as wherematerial above grade is 100 to be transported to a int below grade,

having a high capacity or transfer of the material, irrespective of theparticular grades involved, and without requiring the I use of speciallyprepared roadways as is frequentl the case with like operations carriedon wi the use of trucks and loading equipment therefor.-

Another object of the invention is to pro- 10 vide a series ofstationary units adapted to cooperate with each other in the transfer ofmaterial and with a capacity to withstand severe usage and to operateirrespective of surface conditions or weather conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide for an apparatus which maybe combined with gravity chutes and carry on transfer of earth and likematerial'at a minimum of expense and as a substantially continuous oration.

' A fu er object of the invention is to provide a novel type of materialtransfer asparatus, wherein a rigidly supported bla e operatin after themanner of a bulldozer ma be drawn against a mass of loosemateriafdisposed upon a suitable slideway with smooth bottom and sidewalls, 'andtransported from one end of such apparatus to a point ofdischarge at the opposite end thereof and to provlde for the return ofsuch blade to starting position without interference with any materialdeposited in the slideway during such interval of forward movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanismfor simultaneously moving two blades in res tivelv adj aoent slideways,the blades pre erably being moved simultaneously in opposite directionsin order that economy of power may be effected by having one blade moveidly to return position while its companion blade moves forward inoperative load carrying position.

45 Another object of the invention is to provide means for heating thewalls of the slideway in order to facilitate the transfer of materialtherethrough when weather conditions prevent the free movement of suchmaterial.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course ofthe following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means and mode hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain means and modesembodying the invention, such disclosed means and modes constituting,however, but several of various forms in which the principle of theinvention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing one form of apparatus embodying theprinciples of the invention;

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view of thestructure shown in Fig ure 1, with the rearwardend of a companionsection shown in dotted lines beneath the same;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation showmg the carriage in tiltedor returning position;

Fi ure 4 is a fragmentary central longitudina vertical sectional view ofthe structure shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fi res 1 and 2;

Figure 6 1s an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view, taken alongthe line 6-6, shown in Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the structure shown in- Figure 6, takenalong the line 77, shown in Figure 6, looking in the direction of thearrows;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing thecable take-up drum mounted on the carriage;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fi ure 8;

Figure 10 is a ragmentary side elevation, partly in section, showing themeans for ad- ]usting the position of the axle at one end of thestructure;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the end of a slideway adapted tobe used as the companion unit to a unit carrying the driving motor;

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view, showing a modifiedform of slidewa with provision for heating the same;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating partly in sectionalelevation one method of handling material through the use of theapparatus;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13, illustrating another method ofhandling material through the use of said apparatus together with agravity chute;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view partly in transverse sectionalelevation, illustrating the progressive stages of transferring.

material from a point above grade; and

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic viewpartly in longitudinal sectionalelevation showing four units positioned in series and adapted to beoperated in pairs of companion units from a motor provided on one ofeach pair. As is more particularly shown in Figures 1,.2 and 5 of thedrawings, the preferred form of apparatus comprises an elongatedslideway or conveyor unit 1 in the form of a channel preferably formedof sheet metal having a flat bottom member 2 extending throughoutsubstantially its entire length and preferably formed with an upwardlyturned slightly convex portion 3 adjacent its receivin end. At each sideof the unit, side wal s 4, 5 are provided, such side walls preferablybeing formed of sheet metal and extending slightly beyond the bottommember of the apparatus to provide supports for the operating mechanismat each of the ends thereof. Such forward and rearward extensions of thesides may be tapered by cutting away the lower corners thereof at an anle, thus also affording clearance at the en s of such apparatus from anyobjects which may be placed beneath such ends. The channelway thusformed by the bottom and side walls may be suitably braced to provide arigid structure, and in the form illustrated, shows a number oftransverse I-beams 6 beneath the bottom of the apparatus and verticalwebs 7, 8, at the outer faces of each of the respective side walls ofsuch apparatus in the plane of the respective I-beams, as will be moreclearly seen from Figures 6 and 7. Said vertical webs and the upper edgeof the side walls serve as supports for top rails 11, 12, adapted tosupport the blade carrying carriage presently to be described. The webs,as will appear more clearly from Figure 6, are of greater width adjacenttheir lower portions and provide upon shoulders formed approximately attheir mid-height supports for rails 18, 14, on the respective sides ofsaid apparatus adapted to be engaged by the carriage positioningmechanism presently to be described.

Various means of supporting the conveyor unit may be provided, but thatillustrated comprises a pair of wheels 15 rotatably mounted on oppositeends of an axle 16, such axle being centrally of square cross section,as will more clearly appear from Figure 10, and being adjustably securedbeneath the rearward end of the conveyor unit by means of a pair ofbolts 17 engaged through any selected pair of apertures 18 provided inparallel spaced rails 21, 22, secured to the under side of the rearwardportion of the structure by any suitable fastening means, as will moreclearly appear from Figure 1. The rails are spaced from each other bymeans of blocks 23 which thus provide an elongated horizontal slot 24 ateither side of the apparatus to receive such axle. Suitable bearingmembers for the wheels may be provided at the projecting outer ends ofthe axle 16, the wheels being secured to the ends of such axle by nuts25 in the usual manner.

The forward end of the conveyor unit may likewise be supported upon anysuitable structure, but that illustrated comprises a fifth wheel 26having a pivot 27 approximately centrally of the forward mid-length ofthe unit. An axle 28 for the forward pair of wheels 29 is supported onsaid fifth wheel. The pivot pin for the fifth wheel is carried upon anunderframe formed of a series of bracing arms 31 and a central support32. A

draw-bar 33 may be connected with the forward axle assembly to providemeans for moving the unit as desired.

As has been indicated, the material to be moved is deposited loosely inthe conveyor unit adjacent its lower. end and is adapted to be engagedby a blade supported on a carriage which reciprocates from one end ofthe apparatus to the other. The details of the carriage structure aremore clearly shown in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive,and comprise transverseframe members 34, 35, carrying pairs of track engaging wheels 36, 37 onstub axles at their respective ends. The material moving blade 38 isrigidly secured to the forward frame member 34 by welding or othersuitable securing means and a plurality of bracing members 41, 42, areprovided connecting the blade with the rearward portion of thestructure. Suitable housings 43, 44, may be provided over the wheels atthe respective sides of the carriage, and downwardly extending arms 45,46, may be provided as extensions of said respective outer casing walls.Such downward extensions provide points of attachment at their lowerends for the operating cables 47, 48. The rearward point of attachmentof the cable, as shown in Figure 7, may comprise a loop engaged throughan aperture 49 and firmly secured against displacement and supportingsuch cable at a point slightly below the top rail of the structure so asto provide no obstruction to the free passage over the edge of theconveying unit of any loading apparatus such as the scoop of a steamshovel or the like. The opposite end of the cable is preferablyadjustably attached to the arm 45, one type of such mechanism being thatillustrated more particularly in Figure 8, wherein a stub shaft 51 issecured to the lower end of the arm 45 by means of a nut 46, such stubshaft supporting a cable drum 52 having a ratchet disk 53 at one sidethereof and an adjusting disk 54 at the opposite side thereof, saidadjusting disk having a series of circumferential apertures 55 toreceive a bar for moving such drum in a cable tensioning direction. Theratchet is engaged by a pawl 56 preferably spring pressed and supportedupon a pin 57 provided on said arm 45 adjacent said stub shaft andslightly above the same.

Through the mechanism just described any desired degree of tension canbe maintained in the cables and any undesired slack may be taken upwithout delay. Such adjustment may be independently made at either sideof the carriage so as to provide for uniform tension upon the carriageduring the operation of the device. The cable end last referred to issecured to the drum 52 and is provided with one or more turns thereaboutfor adjustment purposes. The normal position of the forward stretch ofcable 50 when the carriage has both pairs of wheels engaged with itstrack is at a point slightly above the lower rails of the structure, andwhen in its uppermost position during the return movement of thecarriage is at a point very close to the top rail and slightly below thetop ra l when the carriage reaches its lowermost limit of motion toward'the end of the unit, 1n the dotted line position shown in Figures 2 and3.

The means for tilting the carriage and its associated structurecomprises the arms 58 carrying the wheels 59 which engage the respectivelower rails 13 and 14 at the opposlte sides of the conveying unit. Thearms are pivoted on extensions of the forward frame member 34 outwardlyof the wheels and have lugs 60 on their inner sides which abut bosses 61on the de ending arms 45 slightly above the take-up rums 52. Theoperation of the carriage tilting mechanism will be described later inconjunction with the explanation of the operation of the device as awhole.

The cable used at each side of the apparatus is continuous from therespective forward arms of the carriage 45 to the rearward arms 46, thecentral portion of the cables running around the drums 62, carried atthe respective .ends of a drive shaft 63 positioned beneath the conveyorunit at a oint adjacent its central area and slightly iiehind theforward supporting underframe heretofore described.

Any desired type of driving mechanism may be employed, but that showncomprlses an electric motor 64 preferably having a built-in speedreduction mechanism. The motor is positioned centrally beneath theconveyor unit and transmits power through the driving pinion 65 andbeveled gear 66 to the drive shaft 63 carrying the drums.

The operating cables extend on either'side of the apparatus from theirrespective drums around a series of idler wheels suitably supportedadjacent the ends of the frame, an idler wheel 71 being positioned ateach lower corner of the forward end of the conveyor unit and an idlerwheel 72 being positioned on each side of the unit of forward extensionof the side members and an idler unit 73 being positioned on each sideof the lower corners of the rearward end of the conveyor unit and anidler 74 being positioned on each side of the unit at the point ofgreatest rearward extension of the respective sides. The cable lengthsare unsupported between the idler wheels at the extreme ends of theframe and their point of attachment to the arms of thecarriage, but aslight degree of slack in the cables does not interfere with theoperation of the device, although intermediate supporting means may beprovided if desired.

A limit switch 75 is provided adjacent the forward end of the structureadjacent the top rail to be operated by contact of the forward end ofthe carriage therewith and reverse the motor to drive the carriageositively in a return direction, and a imit switch 76 is providedadjacent the top rail at the rearward end of the structure tobe shiftedby the adjacent structure of the carriage to reverse the motor to drivethe carriage in a forward direction. Control switches for the motor maybe provided at convenient positions. The side members of the conveyorunit preferably extend beyond the bottom member and the top rails of thestructure extend from the extreme lower end thereof to a point adjacentthe bottom of the forward end of the structure. The side rails 13, 14 ofthe a paratus, or the lower rails WlllCl'l support t e carriage tiltingwheels 59, are of slightly less length than the top rails, and as shownin Figure 1, have a downwardly inclined portion 81 at the forward ends,and at the rearward ends of said side rails have a downwardly extendingrear portion 82 which extends downwardly to a lesser extent than theforward ends and have their extreme ends turned upwardly so as toprovide stop members 83 to prevent the wheels moving further backward.When the carriage tilting rollers 59 rest a ainst the stop members 83,the carriage will be in a position slightly lowered from its angularposition over the greater extent of the trackway, and upon the reversalof the motor and the commencement of the forward movement of thecarriage, the forward wheels of the carriage will be brought intoengagement with the top rails through the rocking of the forward portionof the carriage pivotally about the lower end of the supporting arm 58for the tilting roller 59. At such time the lower edge of the blade willride against the upwardly turned portion 3 of the bottom of the conveyorunit and will engage against any loose material which has been depositedin the conveyor unit adjacent such point. As the blade moves forwardunder the pull of the respective cables, 47, 48 upon the carriage, any.material in advance of the blade will be pushed forward over the innersurface of the conveyor unit and will be discharged at the front end ofthe structure over the forward edge of the bottom and between theforwardly projecting sides of the structure.

The material so discharged by the unit may be transferred to a companionunit or may be otherwise disposed of at such point in accordance withthe requirements of the work in hand.

During the forward movement of the carriage, the tilting arm 58 and itsroller 59 on each of the respective sides of the apparatus ride idlyupon the respective tracks 13, 14,

and swing to a substantially vertical position free of such tracks atthe forward downwardly inclined ends 81 of the said respective tracks.Upon the shifting of the reversing switch, the cables are moved to carthe carriage in a return direction, and eac of the carriage tiltinrollers 59 then engage their respective trac s and the lugs 60 on thearms 58 are forced against the bosses 61,

. thus tilting the carriage and its associated blade upwardly in theposition shown in Figures 3 and 4. When so tilted, the carriage willhold the blade at an angular position in which its lower edge will passover any material which may havebeen deposited in the lower portion ofthe conveyor unit by means of a steam shovel or the like. The forwardstretch of cables adjacent the carriage will be held at a point close tothe top rail during the rearward movement of the carriage and slightlybelow the top rail when the carriage reaches its lowermost limit ofmotion, as is shown in the dotted line positions to the right in Figures1 and 2. This prevents any obstruction to the free loading of materialinto the conveyor unit while the carriage is in the course of movementin either direction.

When one or more conveyor units are to be used during cold weather, thetenacity of the loose material, such as freshly excavated earth andmuch, which may have to be handled by the device can be greatly reduced,and the operation of the carriage and its blade facilitated, bysupplying heat to the bottom and side walls of the structure. Where thepower means utilized on the device is an electric motor, there are noexhaust gases to be utilized for heating purposes, and in such event,the heating may be accomplished by putting resistance wire coilsinchannels provided along the side or bottom walls. The modified form ofslideway shown in Figure 12 provides for a curved sheet metal linerstrip 85 providing a hollow fillet at each corner of the slideway which,as stated, may be heated by means of a resistance element in the form ofa resistance strip or coil 87 encased within longitudinal pockets soformed at the lower corners of the channel- Way. In such event, thelower corners of the blade may be cut away along the same contour so asto provide slight clearance from the adjacent slideway surfaces.

When a plurality of units are to be utilized in successively forwardingmaterial, it is found more economical to operate such units in pairs,inasmuch as with a single unit the motor has a full power period for themovement of the carriage in one direction and an idling period in theopposite direction; whereas, if two units are operated by a singlemotor, the carriage of one conveyor unit is moved in the reversedirection and the maximum power service of the motor may be obtained inthis manner.

The manner of having two units cooperate is illustrated in Figure 2,wherein the ole vated upper end of the conveyor unit A shown in fulllines overhangs the depressed lower end of the adjacent conveyor unit Bshown in dotted lines, and when thus disposed is adapted to dischargeloose material into the lower end of the conveyor B at a time when thecarriage of the conveyor unit B is in its lowermost position. The methodof coupling a pair of units to efiect this operation may take variousforms, but one transmission means for driving the carriage of the secondunit is disclosed in Figures 5 and 11, wherein a beveled inion 91 ismounted on the end of the sha t 63 outside of one of the drums 62 andengages a beveled gear 92 fixed to a shaft 93 supported in a pair ofhangers 94 secured to the lower side portion of the conveyor unit. Theshaft is preferably connected with the driving mechanism for the secondconveyor unit by means of a drive shaft 95 having unlversal joints 96,97 at its respective ends and having sleeved connections 98 adjacent itsends to permit longitudinal adjustment of the length of the shaft. Thesecond conveyor unit, in place of having idler wheels at each of theends of the extension sides, is provided with a pair of cable drivingdrums 101 secured to a shaft 102 and driven by means of beveled gears103, 104, supported in a bracket member 105 secured to one of theextension sides of the second conveyor unit. With the cable drivingdrums located at the end of the second conveyor unit, there is nonecessity for providing any cable drums at an intermediate point beneaththe bottom of the structure, although if desired idler pulleys forsupporting the cable may be provided at such point, particularly in Viewof the fact that the conveyor units may be made of considerable lengthand the weight of the cable involved may require support at one or morepoints along the under side.

With the transmission mechanism applied to two units as just described,when the motor is set in operation, the material moving carriages willbe carried from end to end of the respective conveyor units alternately,so that any loose material placed in front of the blade 38 of thecarriage on the conveyor A will be immediately moved in a forwarddirection along the conveyor B by a carriage unit of like characteroperated by the same motor through the transmission line just described.

The apparatus just described provides for conducting a wide variety ofexcavating and earth removal operations in a manner somewhat diiferentfrom those heretofore recognized as standard practice in this field.Thus, in place of commencing to dig away the side of the material abovegrade nearest the point below grade which is to receive the fill, andthereafter lengthening the earth transportation line in each directionby adding more trucks and hauling equipment under the usual practicewith a maximum number of lIJ ' the formdiagrammatically of loading suchunits of 1mm. equipment being in operation as the wor 'is nearly.completed, and a Ion haul from the material above Elude fart est removedfrom the point of' ng operations, and the point of filling operationsin'turn ha pro m to the point farthest removfi frorglie start of tzlfieorigin al 0 rations e r are may e pe p illluslterated in Flgure' 13 .ofestablishing at t e ginning of the operation a material forwarditransportation line 111 composed of the necessa number of conveyorunits, and commencmg the excavating operations at the most distant point112 from the point of filling, and thereafter Frogressively moving umtsfrom the end 0 the line at the point to the o posite end of the line 113at the point of 51m g. Where the units are operated in pairs, as wasdescribed 1n connection with the showing in Figures 5 and 11, it will befound advantageous to so conduct the operations. that the units may bemoved from one end of the line to the other in pairs. Where thecharacter of the o rations requires a deep out such as is s own inFigure 13, the operation ma be carried on in a series of stages. As wilbe noted in the upper ri ht hand ortion of Figure 13, the steam s ovel114 s own diaammatically is making a relatively shalow cut at one sideof the right of way, and is transferrin material to the conveyor units111 position on the opposite side of the right of way. After the steamshovel has carried through its out the full length of the level at whichit is working, it may be brought back to the position shown in thedrawings, but set up on the higher level at the point where the lastconveyor unit 115 is located, and the series of conveyor units may bemoved to the lower level which has just been completed by the steamshovel. In this manner earth may be rapidl excavated and transported toa point of disc arge without giving any undue attention to the weatherconditions which under ordinary circumstances must be carefullconsidered in view of the tendency of the eavy trucks to become mired inthe freshly filled material which has not been placed in satisfactocondition for travel of heavy vehicles wit their loads.

The method'just described may be varied somewhat where the grade is tobe carried through stee r hillsldes, as is shown diaammatical y inFigure 14. In such cases e conveyor units may be disposed in somewhatthe same manner as the conveyor units 115 near the loading end of theline, as' shown in Figure 13, and an elongated gravity chute 117 may beused to transfer the material down a steep declivity into furtherconveyor units 118, which carry the material to the point of finaldischarge. The conveyor units thermore, many railroad rights of way areof narrow. width and the transportation line must travel single fileover the greater portion of the distance which makes it practicallyimpossible to turn the wagons or trucks so as todum the loads into agravity chute without en angerin the operators and equipment because 0the insubstantial footing at the margins of the excavated areas.

'As stated, the large overhang of the conveyor units provides for asubstantial su port of the same at intermediate pointsrather than attheir ends, and thus such units will operate under conditions whichwould be impractical with trucks or wagon load carrying units.

The cutting down of the elevations above grade in successive stages isdiagrammatically shown in Figure 15, and comprises starting operationsof the shovel 121 along the grade line 122 until it is carried throughat that level from end to end of the elevation and then interchangingthe position of the shovel 121 with that of the conveyor line 123 sothat the shovel will be positioned on the working level 124 with theconve or line on the level 122 just completed. he shovel then continuesin operation until it has established the level 125 throughout itslength, and the earth as excavated being dumped upon the series ofconveyor units positioned on the level 122. When the level 125 has beencompleted from endto endof the elevation, the shovel is restored to itsoriginal position on the level 122 and the conveyor units areestablished along the level 125. When the shovel has excavated thematerial to the level indicated by the line 126, it is moved back to thelevel 125 and the conveyor line is established on the level 126. Theshovel then excavates to the line marked 127 and this process iscontinued until the established grade line is reached. Since the lengthof the conveyor line is substantially constant during this series ofoperations, the, work may be carried on very rapidly, it merely beingnecessary to shift the units sidewise to the respective lower levels asthe work progresses.

As was-heretofore stated, in most instances it will be found that themost economical operation will follow the coupling of the convcyor unitsin pairs, the carriages of such pairs to be driven alternately inforward and reverse direction by a single motor. The drive shaft may besubstantially identical with that described in connection with thetransmission line shown in Figures 5 and 11. A sleeve 100 ma be used inthe transmission line for rea y adjustment thereof, and if desired, asplined telescopic coupling may be provided at such point. In the lineshown in Figure 16, the steam shovel will deposit the earth upon therearmost conveyor unit 131 and the carriage and blade 132 will dischargesuch earth into the rearmost end of the conveyor unit 133, whence thecarriage and blade 134 will move the material over the front end of saidconveyor into the rear end of the conveyor unit 135 which in turn willcarry the material into the conveyor unit 136 and the material willfinally be discharged from the last named conveyor unit on to the fill137.

As has been indicated,-the means for actuating the conve or units maycomprise electric motors. I a convenient power line is not available asa source of power for these motors, a generator set, driven by a gasengine or by a steam engine, may be used to supply current for theelectric motors. Under other conditions, the conveyor units may beoperated directly from gas engine units, suitably connected to the cabledrums.

T he method and apparatus, while particularly useful in grading rightsof way, is by no means limited to such uses as have been especiallymentioned, inasmuch as transferring material, particularly bulkmaterial, in connection with the loading or unloading of vessels orfreight cars may provide many instances wherein the apparatus describedcan be used more effectively or economically than any other availableequipment.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employedinstead of those explained, change being made as regards the means andthe steps herein disclosed, provided those stated by any of thefollowing claims or their equivalent be em ployed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as ourinvention:

1. A method of moving material with a series of stationary units eachhaving material engaging elements moving from end to end and overlappingthe paths of travel of elements on adjacent units, which comprisesproviding a transportation line of substantially uniform length formedof a series of stationary material moving units in cooperative alinementwhich extends from the most distant point of loading to the nearestpoint of discharge with reference to the full extent of the line ofwork, such points progressively shifting in the same direction, andmoving the unit at the loading point of such transportation lineprogressively to a position at the discharge point of saidtransportation line as the excavation and filling proceed at therespective ends of said transportation line.

2. An apparatus of the character described,

havin in combination a slideway, a substantially orizontallv movablecarriage supported above said slidewav. a material moving elementconnected with said carriage and extending angularly downwardlytherefrom, and tree of all other connection and supported above saidslidewav. and means, connected with said carriage below the top edges ofsaid slideway and adiacent the side edges of. the material movingelement and exteriorly of said slideway, for moving said element andcarriage the entire length of said slideway in one direction along alower plane of movement and moving said element in the oppositedirection of said slideway along an elevated plane of movementsubstantiall parallel to and of the same length as said rst plane ofmovement.

3. An apparatus of the character described, having in combinationa'slideway, a substantially horizontally movable carriage supportedabove said slideway, a pair of pivoted arms mounted on and coacting withsaid carriage, a material moving element connected with said carriageand extending angularly downwardly therefrom, and free of all otherconnection and supported above said slideway, means for moving saidelement and carriage the entire length of said slideway in one directionalong a lower plane of movement with sai d pivoted arms in inactiveposition and for moving said element and carriage in the 0ppositedirection of said slideway with said arms holding said element andcarriage in tilted position along an elevated plane of movementsubstantially parallel to and of the same length as said first plane ofmovement, and means at each end of said slideway for contacting withsaid arms and moving said element and carriage from one plane ofmovement to the other plane of movement.

4. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination aslideway, tracks provided on opposite sides of said slideway, a combinedcarriage and rigidly connected material moving element supported on saidtracks, carriage tilting arms pivotally supported on said carriage,means for moving said carriage substantially the entire length of saidslideway in one direction, and means coacting with said pivoted carriagetilting arms for tilting said carriage and material moving elementbodily for movement in the opposite direction over said slideway.

5. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination aslideway, tracks provided on opposite sides of said slideway, a combinedcarriage and material moving element supported on said tracks, swingablecarriage tilting arms supported on said carriage, and means on saidslideway and carriage coacting with said tilting arms for changing theposition of said carriage, at each end of said slideway.

6. An apparatus of the character described,

having in combination a slidewa tracks provided on opposite sides of saislideway, a combined carriage and material movlng element supported onsaid tracks, sw' ble carriage tilting arms supported on an acting withsaid carriage, additional tracks on said slidewav coacting with saidcarriage tilting arms for changing the incllnatlon of said carriage ateach en of sa1d slideway, and a cable and cable actuating mechamsm formoving said carriage and mater al moving element the entire length ofsaid slideway in each direction.

7. An apparatus of the character described, havin in combination aslideway in the form 0 an elon ted chamiel having bottom and side memrs, trackways supported upon said side members, a wheeled carria e suported on sald trackways, a material moving element sup rted on saidcarriage and adapted to have s ight marginal clearance from the bottomand side walls 'of said slideway, movable arms associated with saidcarriage and material moving element and fixed members engaging saidarms carried bv said slideway for tilting said ele ment with referenceto said slidewayadjacent the respective ends of said slideway, and meansfor moving said carriage substantially from end to end of said slidewayin each direction of movement.

8. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination aslideway in the form of an elongated channel having bottom and sidemembers, trackways supported upon said side members, a wheeled carriagesupported on said trackways, a material moving element supported on saidcarriage and adapted to have s ight marginal clearance from the bottomand side walls of said slideway, movable arms associated with saidcarriage and material moving element M and fixed members engaging saidarms carried by said slideway for tilting said element with reference tosaid slideway adjacent the respective ends of said slideway, and a cableand cable actuating mechanism for moving said carriage and materialmoving element the entire length of said slideway in each direction.

9. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination aplurality of elongated channel-shaped conveying units positioned insubstantially parallel inclined relation with the end of one unitoverlapping the end of its companion unit, a reciprocating materialmoving element adapted to be moved substantially from end to end of eachof said conveying units with a path of travel overlapping the path oftravel of the reciprocating elements of each adjacent conveyor unit, andmeans connected with said reciprocating elements externally of and belowthe top edges of the respective channel- Ways for moving saidreciprocating elements over said respective units in opposite directionson said respective units.

. 10.. An apparatus of the character described, havm in combination apair of elongated channe -sha d conveying units (positioned insubstantlall para lel incline relation with the end 0 one unitoverlapping the end of its companion unit, a reciprocating materialmoving element adapted to be moved substantially from end to end-of eachof said conveying units with a ath of travel overlapping the path oftrave of the reciprocating elements of each adjacent conve or unit,means on each of said units for tilting said reciprocatingelement in onedirection of motion on said respective conveying units, and meansconnected with said reciprocating elements externally of and below thetop edges of the respective channelways for moving said reciprocatingelements over said respective units simultaneously inopposite-directions on said respective units.

11. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination aseries of elongated channel-shaped conveying units, each of said unitsbeing positioned in substantially parallel inclined relation to the nextadjacent units with the end of one unit overlappin the end of itscompanion unit progressive y to the end of said series, a reciprocatingmaterial movin element adapted to be moved substantia y from end to 7end of each of said conveying units with a path of travel overlappingthe path of travel of the reciprocating elements of each adjacentconveyor unit, and means connected with said reciprocatin elementsexternally of and below the top edges of the respective channelways formoving said reciprocating elements over said respective unitssimultaneously in opposite directions on alternate units of said series.

12. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination anelongated channel-shaped conveying member having substantially uniformside portions throughout its length with a bottom ortion curved slightlyupwardly at one en to provide a material receiving area, a carriagesupported for reciprocating movement upon said conveying element, amaterial moving member supported on said carriage and extending intosaid channel member with marginal clearance from said bottom and sidewalls, means for tilting said material moving member at each end of itsmovement over said conveying element, and means to bring said materialmoving member in contact with said upwardly disposed surface of saidbottom member in one direction of motion.

13. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination aseries of elongated conveying units positioned in end to end materialtransferring relation to each other in pairs, reciprocating means ineach adjacent pair of units driven from a single source of power inalternately opposite directions h connections externally of said unitsand be ow the top edges thereof, and means for automatically changingthe direction of such reciprocating means.

14. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element supported on said carriage, andmeans associated with said carriage and material moving element andswingable with reference to said carriage for tilting said element withreference to said channelway.

15. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element supported on said carriage, andmeans associated with said carriage and material moving element andswingable with reference to said carriage positioned externally of saidchannelway and below the top edges thereof for tilting said element withreference to said channelway.

16. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element mounted on said carriage andextending with its bottom and side edges in closely spaced relation tothe inner surface of said channelway, and means supported on saidcarriage and extending downwardly externally of said channelway andbelow the top edges thereof providing a point of attachment for meansfor reciprocating said carriage,

17. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element rigidly mounted on said carriage,means for tilting said carriege and element bodily with reference tosaid channelway, said means comprising a trackway externally of saidchannelway having upwardly inclined portions at each end, and means onsaid carriage to engage on upward travel the inclined portion of saidtrackway at one end to raise the carriage and to engage on upward travelthe inclined trackway at the opposite end to lower said carriage.

18. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element mounted on said carriage, meansfor tilting said element with reference to said channelway, said meanscomprising a trackway externally of said channelway having an upwardlyinclined portion at at least one end, and means carried by said carriageto engage on u ward travel said upwardly inclined trac way to lower saidelement.

l9. An apparatus of the character described having in combination aseries of slideways arranged in cooperative alinement, a carr1agereciprocatingly mounted on each slldeway, a material moving elementmounted on each carriage, trackways externally of sa1d slideways havinginclined end portions, means on said carriage engageable with theinclined portions of said trackways, said means being adapted to raisesaid element at one end of said slideway and to lower sa1d element atthe opposite end thereof, the trackways of each succeeding carriageoverlapping each other and providing an intermediate area for theexchange of material between the material moving elements of ad] acentcarriages.

20. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element rigidly mounted on said carriage,means for tilting said carriage and element bodily with reference tosaid channelway, and a hollow passageway formed by a fillet platecovering each lower inner angle of the channelway enclosing heatexchanging means for heating said channelway.

21. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element mounted on said carriage, apivoted arm supported on said carriage and coacting with said carriageand material moving element for tilting said element with reference tosaid channelway, and means mounted on said channelway for moving one endof said arm about its pivot at each end of said channelway.

22. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway,

a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon said channelway, amaterial moving element rigidly mounted on said carriage, a pivoted armsupported on and coacting with said carriage for tilting said carriageand element bodily with reference to said channelway, and means mountedon said channelway for moving one end of said arm about its pivot ateach end of said channelway.

23. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element mounted on said carriage, apivoted arm supported on said carriage and coacting with said carriageand material moving element for tilting said element with reference tosaid channelway, means mounted on said channelway for moving one end ofsaid arm about its pivot at each end of said channelway, and means forholding said ivoted arm against movement while traversing theintermediate portion of said channel- 2%. An apparatus of the characterdescribed having in combination a channelway, a carriage mounted forreciprocating movement upon said channelway, a material moving elementmounted on said carria e and extending with its bottom and side e ges inclosely spaced relation to the inner surface of said channelway,downwardly extending arms on said carriage positioned outwardly of thesides of said channelway, cables connected to said arms, and means foractuating said cables.

25. An apparatus of the character described having in combination achannelway, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement upon saidchannelway, a material moving element mounted on said carriage andextending with its bottom and side edges in closely spaced relation tothe inner surface of said channelway, downwardl extending arms on saidcarriage positione outwardly of the sides of said channelway, cablesadjustably connected to said arms, and means for actuating said cables.

26. A material moving unit for a conveyer channelway, comprising acarriage having a frame with pairs of wheels on each side thereof,pivoted arms on said carriage outwardly of said wheels and carryingwheels at the free ends thereof and serving as carriage tiltin means,and abutments on said carria e and said arms brought into engagement ythe movement of said arms in one direction.

27 A material moving unit for aconveyer channelway, comprising acarriage having a frame with pairs of wheels on each s1de thereof,pivoted arms on said carriage outwardly of said wheels and carryingwheels at the free ends thereof and serving as carriage tiltin means, ahousing over each pair of whee s at each side of said carriage, downwardextensions on the outer sides of said housings providing cable attachingterminals, and abutments on one pair of downward extensions and on saidarms brought into engagement by the movement of said arms in onedirection.

28. A wheeled carriage and material moving element for conveyerchannelways ada ted to be positioned in a raised or lowered position ona trackway, having in combination a frame, a air of wheels supported onsaid frame at eac 1 side thereof, a housing over each pair of wheels,downward extensions on the outer side portions of said housing toprovide cable attaching terminals, said extensions bein of a length toprovide equal cable tension w en said carriage is in raised or loweredposition.

Signed by us this 20th day of March, 1933.

RAY FERWERDA. KOOP FERWERDA.

